Management Team
Find out more about the people who manage the Biosciences Institute
Professor Joris Veltman, Dean of the Institute
Joris Veltman is a Dutch human geneticist, Dean of the Biosciences Institute and Jacobson chair of Personalized Medicine. Joris loves to work with genome technologies. He uses these to study the genetic factors in male infertility and the consequences of artificial reproduction. He leads the Faculty’s global activities and is actively involved in the European Society of Human Genetics. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for a run or a hike in the beautiful North East.
Professor Neil Perkins, Deputy Institute Dean
Neil relocated to Newcastle in 2010, where he is the Professor of Gene Expression and Signalling. His main research focus is the role of the NF-kappaB pathway in cancer. As a NUBI Deputy Dean he has an interest in developing grant mentoring schemes. In addition, he is lead of the Cell Signalling Research Theme and oversaw our UoA5 REF2021 submission. In his time off he likes taking his dog Gonzo for long walks.
Professor Frank Sargent,
Deputy Institute Dean
Frank Sargent is Professor of Microbial Biotechnology and has worked for Newcastle University since 2018. His research takes a broad view of bacterial physiology, including bioenergetics and membrane biology. He also has more specific interests in metalloproteins, especially hydrogenases, and in studying their structure, function and potential applications. As NUBI Deputy Dean, Frank has an interest in developing the research-teaching interface and in championing research-led and research-based teaching. He is also exploring cross-Faculty synergies and is leading on the Engagement & Place strategy for NUBI, which includes industrial and business engagement. In the outside world Frank is the Honorary Treasurer of The Biochemical Society and serves on numerous BBSRC and UKRI panels, including REF. In his spare time Frank is attempting to munch his way through all the Michelin-starred restaurants in The North.
Mrs Helen Miller,
Head of Operations
Helen’s role as Head of Operations involves her supporting the Institute Dean & his wider portfolio. A member of the Faculty senior leadership team, she supports the delivery of the Faculty strategy. She also has responsibility for the portfolio of the Data & Comms Community. Throughout her career, she has held to a variety of external roles, including being awarded a Life Fellow of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), Chair CABS Steering Committee and Co Vice Chair Governing Body Archbishop Runcie Church of England 1st School. Helen likes supporting her children with their passions for cricket & football.
Dr Rebecca Kenyon, Technical Manager
Rebecca Kenyon provides Management of Technical Services and Infra structure for the institute and is Safety Officer for the Biosciences Institute. She has worked at the university for many years in a variety of roles supporting research services activity and specialist technical facilities. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Kate Gorman-Dunn, Finance Business Partner
Kate Gorman-Dunn is a chartered Global Management accountant. As the Finance Business Partner for the Bioscience Institute she is the “go to person” and point of contact for financial queries, advice and reports for all staff in the Institute (non-RES accounts). In her personal time she is family oriented and loves to travel and eat.
Tarina Fee, People Services Advisor
Tarina is a People Services Advisor or HR Advisor supporting the Biosciences Institute with all 'people related' queries, from recruitment all the way to retirement, and everything in between.
She started working at Newcastle University in June 2022, following a career in HR with the Met Police. She is a Chartered member of the CIPD and studied her Master's Degree in Human Resource Management in 2018. Tarina enjoys good soul music and playing with her pet chickens
